Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are injectables that are used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. These injectables can be used to smoothen wrinkle lines, relieve migraines, and treat conditions like crossed eyes, muscle spasms, and overactive bladder.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 6,673,608 Botox and Dysport procedures done in the United States in 2014.

Choosing the Right Procedure

Patients may choose to have Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin injectables for cosmetic reasons if they want to:

Smoothen lines on the face

Reduce the appearance of crow's feet

Lessen frown lines and forehead furrows

Lift the brows—these injectables are capable of a temporary “chemical brow lift”

The three injectables are also used to treat medical conditions like:

Strabismus (cross-eye), or lazy eye

Migraine

Overactive bladder

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating

Muscle spasms and contractions

Cervical dystonia, a condition that causes neck muscle contractions

Cerebral Palsy

While Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin injections are all based on botulinum toxin A, they have slightly different chemical makeups and produce slightly different reactions.

In choosing an injectable, patients should know:

The differences between each brand like the amount of time it takes for each treatment to start working. Botox may take up to 5 days to take effect, while Dysport usually takes effect in 1 to 2 days.

The expected outcome of the procedure

The cost of each type of injectable

Your doctor or medical specialist will help you make an informed decision about which injectable is right for you.

The effects of Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin typically last 3 to 4 months. The effects can last longer with repeated injections.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of botulinum toxin injections was $371 as of 2014, but this figure does not include the price of medical facilities. The price of the procedure will also depend on the amount of botulinum toxin used during the treatment session, and on the number of treatment sessions the doctor recommends for the patient.

Usually, patients will need to pay for botulinum toxin injections out of pocket because most insurance companies will not cover elective cosmetic procedures.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are made from clostridium botulinum, a naturally occurring organism that can be found in soil and water. In environments with certain temperatures or low oxygen levels, the organism releases botulinum toxin, a deadly neurotoxin that causes the foodborne illness botulism. Botulinum toxins are lethal to humans, even at low doses.

In 2002, Botox was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to use the power of the botulinum toxin at extremely low levels to relax muscles and remove fine lines from the skin. When the botulinum toxin is injected into the skin, it prevents nerve signals from reaching muscles, causing the muscles to relax rather than contract. Dysport was approved by the FDA in 2009.

The Botulinum Toxin Procedure

No matter what botulinum toxin is used for, it will usually be injected into the body through a very thin needle.

Before performing a botulinum toxin injection procedure, doctors and medical professionals will need to understand the anatomy surrounding the injection site in order to produce the desired results. There are 43 muscles in the face, and doctors must understand how each of those muscles affects the movement of the face in order to identify an ideal injection site. If doctors misidentify the muscles, they can cause “frozen” facial expressions by injecting the wrong surface.

During the procedure, the doctor will use a very fine needle to inject the mixture of saline and botulinum toxin into targeted areas. While discomfort is minimal, the patient can choose to use anesthetic cream or ice to numb the face. The procedure will last about 15 minutes.

After the procedure patients will be told to keep their head upright for the first few hours and to not bend over, lay down, or otherwise droop the head.

There may be slight swelling after the treatment, but patients are usually free to return to normal activities after leaving the doctor's office. Effects of the treatment will become noticeable within 1 to 5 days.

Risks of Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin

Muscle weakness around injection site or in other parts of the body

Eyelid droop

Pain

Dry eyes or excessive tearing

Vision problems

Headache

Difficulty swallowing or speaking

Signs of an allergic reaction including itching, welts, asthma, or feeling faint

Trouble breathing

Fatigue

Loss of bladder control

Dissatisfaction with results

Doctors and other medical professionals should discuss all material risks with patients before the procedure.

Medical Malpractice and Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury as a result of a medical professional's negligence during a Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin procedure, you should talk to a medical malpractice attorney.

The most successful medical malpractice cases involve serious injuries. Temporary and minor injuries are generally not enough to maintain a medical malpractice action. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you decide if you have a case.

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Call 800-529-6162 or complete the form. Phones answered 24/7. Most form responses within 5 minutes during business hours, and 2 hours during evenings and weekends.

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